Hello everyone,
I've looked all over but I couldn't find anyone with the same problem I'm having. Here is the rundown:
1. 1996 manual accord (f22b2) starts perfectly on most days.
2. On very few occasion (once every couple weeks) it will not crank, however the lights, dash and dome lights turn on. When trying to start, everything dims and nothing happens; no clicking or turning over.
3. I get it running by jump starting the battery and then for the next couple weeks it starts and runs perfectly.
4. On the "2" position of the ignition there are no dash lights but the radio comes on and I can hear the fuel pump.
5. Today was the first day its happened consistently. I have had to get two jump starts today and so I want to fix this issue.
My initial ideas:
1. Neutral safety switch is faulty
2. Starter motor is bad
3. Starter relay is bad
4. Main relay is bad
5. Battery is bad (I bought it 3 months ago though)
6. Subwoofer amp is phantom drawing (its connected to radio fuse so it only turns on when the radio does)
My problem with these diagnoses is that they don't make sense since I'm able to start the car when it's jumped. I would appreciate any input before I start spending money and time on something that isn't the issue.
I live in San Diego area if that's a clue to anything and the battery terminals have no visible corrosion and the wires are secured tight on the terminals.
Thank you,
Keepinitrunning

 

Always have to start with the easiest solution.

I assume the battery is under warranty, get it tested and see if it is the cause.

Next step is to get a voltmeter/multimeter (harbor freight often has them cheap/free)

Check voltage of the battery on an evening after you get home (30 mins after turning off), then check again in the morning. If it has dropped significantly should show if you have something draining the battery.

Can also unplug the subwoofer for a while if in doubt

Can then start thinking about the others

 

Seems like what i am about to say is a strange option but. If your terminals are slightly corroded between the battery post and the cable or where the auxiliary/starter cables attach to the main terminal, this could be the issue.
As you say, the dash/dome lights turn on, this is power getting through the auxiliary cable connector, but no power is getting through to the main battery to starter cable, then when the jumpers are connected the alligator bites in a little bit and gets power where it needs to be.
Another potability is that it could be the wire connector on the back of the key switch. This is a known issue with that era of Honda.
*I Use these battery terminals when the ends need replaced, not those odd lead terminals with frayed wires. I then solder the cables onto these eyelets.

 

Hi; please tell me what ended up happening. Did you get er back up and running?